Jul 20

WHEN:

Jul 20th 10:30am - Jul 20th 12:00pm

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing

Religious Freedom in Tajikistan: Policy Options for a Country of Particular Concern

Thursday, July 20, 2023
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Virtual

Hearing Transcript

Hearing Summary

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted a virtual hearing on religious freedom in Tajikistan and how the U.S. government can work with the country to address violations.

With the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief’s official visit to the country this past April, the government of Tajikistan has a unique opportunity to reform laws and policies that severely constrict religious practice and expression. Similarly, the U.S. government has an opportunity to look for new ways to engage Tajikistan to lift religious freedom restrictions and allow religious communities to worship more freely.

The U.S. Department of State has designated Tajikistan as a country of particular concern since 2016 for systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. Since 2009, the government of Tajikistan has passed and enforced a web of laws controlling and restricting religious expression and practice for the country’s majority Sunni Muslim population, as well as minority Shi’a Muslims, Christians, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Youth under the age of 18 and women are prohibited from attending public religious services, religious education outside of the nuclear family is banned, religious literature must be approved by the state, and any religious gathering or expression outside of the state’s regulation is met with fines and prison sentences.

Witnesses discussed the government of Tajikistan’s legal framework and enforcement for controlling religious practice and offered policy options the U.S. government could take to encourage space for religious freedom in the country.

Opening Remarks

Panel I

  • Nazila Ghanea, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief
    Written Testimony

Panel II

  • Felix Corley, Editor, Forum 18 News Service
    Written Testimony
  • Bakhtiyor Safarov, Founder, Central Asia Consulting; Human Rights Defender
    Written Testimony
  • Edward Lemon, President, Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs; Research Assistant Professor, Bush School, Texas A&M
    Written Testimony

Witness Biographies

This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. Members of the media should register online and can email [email protected] for any questions or to schedule an interview. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions, please email Danielle Ashbahian at [email protected] or (202) 702-2778.